Click Counter

A tally counter that does not need a hand free

The mechanical version of this has been on clipboards for a century: a thumb-operated clicker for counting things that go past. This one adds the two things the metal version cannot do — count down, and count in steps other than one.

Keyboard first

The whole point of a tally counter is that you are looking at something else. So it works from the keyboard without moving the mouse:

• Space, Enter or the up arrow adds
• Backspace or the down arrow subtracts

The running history underneath shows your recent changes, so if you double-tap by mistake you can see it happened rather than wondering.

How to use it

1. Press space or click the plus to count up.
2. Press backspace or click the minus to correct a mistake.
3. Change the step if you are counting in twos, fives or tens — useful for stock, money or scoring.
4. Reset to zero when you start a new count.

Common uses and tips

• Counting people through a door, at an event, or in a room.
• Stock and inventory, where the step setting saves counting boxes of ten one at a time.
• Laboratory and field counts — cells, birds, vehicles.
• Rows in knitting or crochet, one of the commonest uses of physical tally counters.
• Exercise repetitions, where a phone propped up and the space bar beats trying to remember.

One caution: the count is not saved. Refreshing or closing the tab starts again from zero, so for a long count that matters, write the number down before you navigate away.

What this tool can and cannot see

Everything here runs in your browser. Nothing about your keyboard, mouse or keystrokes is sent anywhere, stored, or logged — the page has no server to send it to.

What the browser gives a web page is also limited by design. It can see that a key was pressed and which one, but not what kind of switch it uses, its firmware, or anything about the device beyond what the operating system reports. A web page cannot tell a mechanical keyboard from a membrane one.

Questions people ask

Can I count with the keyboard?

Yes. Space, Enter or the up arrow adds; Backspace or the down arrow subtracts. That is the point of a tally counter — your eyes are elsewhere.

Is my count saved if I close the tab?

No. It starts from zero each time. Write the number down before you navigate away.

Can I count in steps other than one?

Yes, the step setting handles twos, fives and tens.

Can I count down?

Yes. The minus button and Backspace both subtract, which is also how you correct a mis-click.